Indian Himalayan Heritage

DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay DAY 02: DELHI Today combined sightseeing of Delhi In Old Delhi arrive at Jama Masjid (outside visit), the great mosque of Old Delhi is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, with a courtyard capable of holding 25000 devotees. Enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk, winding through the labyrinthine lanes of the “moonlight place” glimpsing tiny shops crammed with spices and trinkets. Drive past the 17th century Red Fort, the magnificent fort symbolizes the sovereignty of India builds by Shah Jahan and finally stop at Raj Ghat, the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon tour of New Delhi. Visit the very interesting Bangla Sahib Sikh temple known for its huge community kitchen which daily serve food to thousands of devotees. See India Gate, the 42m, free-standing arch, designed by Lutyens, built in 1931, dedicated to 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. Drive past the Presidential building, the official residence of President of India. Explore the 16th century Humayun’s Tomb built by Haji Begum, senior wife of Humayun the 2nd Mughal Emperor - an early example of Mughal architecture. Visit Qutab Minar, where a 72.5m high victory pillar, stands as victory monument of the Muslim King Qutub-Ud-DinAibak. Overnight stay DAY 03: DELHI - KALKA - SHIMLA (BY TRAIN) In time transfer to the Delhi railway station to board train to Kalka. Kalka Shatabdi departs Delhi at 0740 arriving Kalka at 1145 hours. Meeting & assistance on arrival to connect to the toy train to Shimla. Himalayan Queen departs Kalka at 1210 arriving Shimla at 1730 hours. Enjoy a journey on the narrow gauge UNESCO World Heritage Kalka-Shimla railway, the train twists its way through the Shivalik hills with some mesmerizing views of the Himalayas. The Kalka-Shimla railway was built in 1898 to connect Shimla with rest of India. At the time of construction 107 tunnels and 864 bridges, were built throughout the course of the track. Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay DAY 04: SHIMLA Today morning Heritage Walk of Shimla. Situated at 2205m and set amidst cool pine-clad hills, this charming hill station was discovered by the British in 1819 and used as their summer capital. The walk includes State Museum and Library, Vice regal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Studies) built in 1888 for Lord Dufferien in Elizabethan style, Christ Church built in 1844 on the open area of the ridge, Gaiety theatre which opened on May 1887, Vidhan Sabha (the legislative assembly) and he scandal point. End the walk at the colourful Mall. Afternoon visit Jakhoo Hill. At 2455m, this is the town's highest peak and a famous point for Shimla's famous views. The summit is crowned with a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The hill is full of paths and narrow roads which are enjoyable walks. Overnight stay DAY 05: SHIMLA Day at leisure. Overnight stay DAY 06: SHIMLA – PRAGPUR Morning after breakfast drive to Pragpur. (195 kms & approx. 7 hrs drive). On arrival, check in at hotel. Later in the day, walk through colourful local market of Pragpur village. Overnight stay DAY 07: PRAGPUR – DHARAMSHALA (APPROX. 5-1/2 HOURS’ DRIVE) Today morning guided walk through the Heritage village. The core area of Pragpur is a notified "Heritage Village". This makes it perhaps the only village in India with such a distinction. Founded about 3 centuries ago Pragpur has held onto the essence of an earlier era - unchanged shops, cobbled streets, ornamental village tank, mud plastered and slate roofed houses. The walk ends at the river bank with a cup of Chai, which is Indian style of tea preparation with milk & sugar and some snacks. Afternoon drive to Dharamshala. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight stay DAY 08: DHARAMSHALA Today morning drive to the Tibetan Settlement in Mcleodganj – the seat of Dalai Lama. See the museum & the main temple here. Norbulingka Institute was founded near Dharamshala in 1988 for preserving Tibetan culture, literature and art. The institute is named after Norbulingka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas in Lhasa, Tibet. The institute primarily works towards carrying on Tibetan traditions and heritage by providing training, education and employment to Tibetans in the region. Norbulingka Produces high quality art objects, clothing and home furnishings. The institute also has the twostoreyed 'Seat of Happiness Temple' (Deden Tsuglakhang) set amidst the Japanese inspired Norbulingka gardens. It is especially known for its 1,173 murals of Buddha, frescoes of all the Dalai Lamas and drawings from the life of the 14th Dalai Lama. You can take a free guided tour of the institute on any day except on Sunday. Those interested in studying the Tibetan arts can also enroll into short-term workshops here. Norbulingka’s art studios include Tibetan statue making, Thangka painting, screen-printing, applique and tailoring, woodcarving, wood painting, papermaking, and wood and metal craft. (Closed on Sunday) Overnight stay DAY 09: DHARAMSHALA - AMRITSAR (APPROX. 5-1/2 HOURS’ DRIVE) Today morning leave Dhramshala for Amritsar. On arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight stay DAY 10: AMRITSAR Morning visit Golden Temple: Also called Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple was laid by Guru Ram Das in the 14th century. It is acclaimed as one of the holiest sites of the Sikhs. It has four doorways and gorgeously decorated arches. Reflecting influences of both Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, the temple standing in the middle of a tank, exudes tremendous architectural brilliance which draws the attention of numerous tourists around the globe. Amritsar has gained tremendous popularity for its gourmet traditions; especially the dhabas (roadside eatery) that churn out, amongst an inexhaustible list of delicacies, irresistible kulchas, cholabhaturas, tandoori chicken and fried fish, for a foodie a plate of chola-kulchas is an irresistible temptation. Also visit the historic Jalianwala Bagh where in April 1919 Colonel Dyer & his troops opened fire on the non-violent protesters. Afternoon excursion to Wagah border village situated in Lahore District, Punjab, Pakistan and serves as a goods transit terminal and a railway station between Pakistan and India, and lies on the old Grand Trunk Road between Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and Amritsar, India. It is particularly known for the elaborate Wagah border ceremony that happens at the border gate, two hours before sunset each day. The Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force conduct the flag ceremony. Overnight stay DAY 11: AMRITSAR = DELHI (BY TRAIN) Morning visit the Partition Museum which comprehensively charts the Partition of India in 1947 and its impact on the people who endured it. The Museum endeavors to depict the Partition as it was experienced by the People – it gives a complete narrative that ranges from the time before partition, proceeds to the independence movement, the early demands for separate countries, and ultimately the Partition and its consequences. (closed Mondays) In time transfer to Amritsar railway station to board train for Delhi. Amritsar/Delhi Swarna Shatabdi 12030, 1650/2305 Hrs (all days except Thu) Meeting & assistance upon arrival and transfer to airport hotel. Overnight stay DAY 12: LEAVE DELHI Today morning transfer to Delhi airport to board your return flight back home